Couldn’t wait to read this after reading previous books by the author and I wasn’t disappointed. A 5🌟 read to start of 2025.

It’s Cam’s first day back at work after maternity leave and she wakes to find her husband has left the house already leaving a strange note behind.
After dropping her daughter Polly at daycare and arriving at work she is payed a visit by the Police who inform her that there is a hostage situation and her husband Luke is involved. Cam’s world is turned upside down when they tell her he isn’t a hostage but the perpetrator.

The story is told through the POV’s of Cam and hostage negotiator Niall. It is told through a duel timeline, the time of the incident and straight after and then 7 years later.

The part of the story about the hostage situation felt tense and fast paced and then the second part of the book set years afterwards was intriguing and had twists as the plot unfolded.

A clever original thriller with a great end. Would definitely recommend.

This is a smart, gripping outing for McAllister who often turns the thriller genre on its head. From the first page I was drawn into a novel that was unsettling and exciting.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Cam is a new mum, is married, and has a dream job where she reads books for a living. Her daughter has her first day at nursery, and it's Cam's first day back at work after maternity. but her husband left early, leaving a cryptic note, which is the first sign that things aren't all they seem. Then she sees that there is a hostage situation going on, and then she finds out her husband is in fact the hostage taker.

This was a real wild ride!! There were so many twists and turns. The story was written so well, and how the story flowed and came to a conclusion was brilliant. I really liked Cam, I really liked all the characters, but Cam was the perfect mix of level headed and vulnerable throughout. The story had a really good pace, there was something new happening on every page. It really was suspenseful and every time I thought I was on the right track, I was completely wrong. Really loved this book and would highly recommend.

LOVED IT!! Gillian McAllister is now a must read author for me! A great thriller, with great sub plots, kept me hooked throughout. 5* would recommend!

FANTASTIC!
I Loved this book and cannot recommend it enough.

It's a thriller but had brilliant subplots, I loved the storyline so much.

What would you do if your husband held people hostage, killed 2 of them and then went on the run? Would you think he was bad or still believe deep down he was a good person?

Thank you to netgalley for the arc of this book and thank you Gillian for yet another masterpiece

I have to begin by saying this has to be my number one thriller book that I have ever read. Honestly this book has everything you want. It’s extremely exciting, thrilling and absolutely terrifying! I made the mistake of picking this up one evening because I didn’t end up getting much sleep as I couldn’t put this down u till I finished it literally a few hours later!
I swear I was so scared throughout the book, my heart was pounding in fear for all these characters, I was so scared what was going to happen next.
This author sure knows how to capture a readers attention and hold it right until the end. In fact this is a book il always think about and remember.

Another amazing thriller from Gillian McAllister who is now a must-read author for me!
Famous Last Words is so original - the story of an unlikely hostage scenario involving a happy couple on what started out as a normal day.
Tense hostage negotiations lead to an unpredictable outcome.

The characters in this book are superbly lifelike, the twists are clever and unexpected.

This one is a joy to read.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5

Simply wow! I Loved this book!

It's a thriller but also with a love story running through it and I loved how it all came together!

What would you do if your husband held people hostage, killed 2 of them and then went on the run? Would you think he was bad or still believe deep down he was a good person?

Thank you to netgalley for the arc of this book, it's out at the end of Jan and one you don't want to miss!

#bookreview #bookrecommendations #reading

An enjoyable read, told from multiple points of view which is always a winner for me. Plenty of twists and turns that make you want to keep turning the pages to find out what will happen next.

I was utterly captivated by Famous Last Words and found myself reaching for it at every opportunity. From the very first chapter, I was hooked, drawn in by Gillian McAllister’s ability to craft a story that feels both personal and suspenseful. The premise was refreshingly original, and the way the narrative unfolded kept me guessing throughout. It was one of those books where, at the end of every chapter, I found myself saying, “Just one more,” until suddenly hours had flown by. There’s a real skill in writing a story where the twists feel earned rather than forced, and McAllister has mastered that.
The characters felt believable and flawed in a way that made them deeply relatable. I could easily understand their motivations and found myself empathising with their struggles, even when I didn’t necessarily agree with their choices. McAllister has a real knack for portraying the grey areas of morality, which added an extra layer of complexity to the story. I loved how the plot danced between tension and introspection, making me think as much as it entertained me.
That said, as much as I enjoyed the book overall, I did feel let down by the conclusion. After such an engaging build-up, the ending didn’t quite deliver the impact I had hoped for. Some aspects of the resolution felt rushed as if there wasn’t enough time to fully explore the consequences of everything that had happened. I found myself wondering about the aftermath of certain events—what happened to certain characters? How did they move on? While some of these questions were addressed, not all of them were, leaving me with a sense of incompleteness.
Additionally, there were moments in the story where I felt slightly confused. For instance, one particular action—how a character knew where to go without having been given that information—didn’t seem to add up. It left me flipping back through previous chapters to see if I had missed something, but even then, I couldn’t make sense of it. It’s not a huge issue, but it did take me out of the story briefly.
Despite these small frustrations, I have to say that the book as a whole was a fantastic experience. McAllister’s writing is gripping and immersive, and her ability to keep the reader in suspense is remarkable. I found myself thinking about the story long after I had finished it, replaying scenes in my head and wishing I could discuss the twists with someone who had also read it.
While the ending may not have been everything I hoped for, it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment I felt while reading the majority of the book. I’d definitely recommend Famous Last Words to anyone who loves a thought-provoking, suspenseful story. It’s the kind of book that keeps you glued to the pages and leaves you eager to explore more of McAllister’s work. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read, even if I wanted just a bit more from the conclusion.

Famous Last Words is going to be a huge hit!!
Cam is getting her daughter ready for her very first day at nursery as Cam is going back to work after nine months of maternity leave. She was hoping to have some help and a shoulder to cry on with Luke, doting husband and father but he’s no where to be seen, not answering his phone and not replying to messages, this is most unlike him! Later at work the police want to speak to her, Luke is in a warehouse in the middle of a hostage situation, Cam cannot believe it but she’s got her wires crossed as Luke is the hostage taker. We follow Cam and Niall the hostage negotiator over that day and in years to come and how this has affected their own lives.
This was a book I read in a day as I couldn’t put it down. I loved the style of writing and that the main characters were all very real feeling making the whole book a lot more believable. The book is in three parts, during that day, seven years later and seven years later again. This worked well as you get to really know how the characters have struggled, not just Cam but Niall the hostage negotiator. I liked that there was a side story with Cam’s sister and her own struggles and now something she really didn’t want to do turned out to be the bast thing for her.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! A compelling and twisty thriller that kept me guessing and turning the pages. Gillian McAllister always delivers.

3.75⭐️

Brilliantly written thriller. First 30% I was absolutely hooked and then it kind of lost me a bit in the middle but got me hooked again at the end. It went down a different path to what I thought. Gillian paints a picture of her characters very well and they feel very real. I wasn’t blown away by the plot twists, I guessed some. There was one that did get me but overall a little predictable. I think this would make a brilliant tv show.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this advance readers copy.

Camilla is returning to work after her maternity leave; the day feels ordinary except her husband has already left for work before she gets up. However, after she drops her daughter at daycare and begins her work day the police arrive and everything she thought she knew about her husband will be severely shaken.

This book was filled from the beginning to the end with suspense and twists and turns; exactly what I love. My interest was held from the first page to the last and although. there were twists and turns in the story they weren't there unnecessarily. As the story was revealed I became more intrigued. A gripping and suspense filled thriller and an author that I want to read more from; 4 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is a gripping psychological thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. The story, centered around a woman on the verge of execution whose last words might change everything, is full of twists, tension, and moral dilemmas. McAllister brilliantly balances suspense with emotional depth, making you question what’s right and what’s true.

The writing is sharp, the pacing relentless, and the characters are complex and compelling. Just when you think you have everything figured out, a twist will leave you reeling

Famous Last Words is my second read by McAllister (I thought Wrong Place Wrong Time was okay) and my favourite so far. I liked Cam, it was well-paced, and I did not figure out what was going on at all.

Well, okay, one twist was obvious, but it actually didn't tell you anything about the mystery at the root of the story.

Cam and her husband, Luke, have a close, loving relationship, careers they enjoy, and a baby daughter who is their entire world. Everything they ever wanted. But one morning, Cam wakes to find a strange note and no Luke. Something feels off, but it isn't until she is at work later that the police turn up. Her beloved husband has taken several people hostage in London.

I won't offer up any more of the plot, but what emerges is a baffling mystery. How can this man-- who's always been so warm, laid back and loving --do such a thing?

Cam starts to question everything, especially what happened in the weeks leading up to the hostage situation. Did Luke's behaviour change? And if so, why? How could she have been so wrong about him?

A quick, engaging read.

On the day Camilla is going back to work after maternity leave, she wakes up to find her husband missing. Breaking news alerts her to a hostage situation that her husband is involved in, except he’s not one of the hostages, he’s the gunman.
This book was tense and suspenseful as we follow Camilla’s quest to find out why her husband has committed such a shocking crime. Throughout the book, entwined with the mystery and emotion is a love story that prevails as Cam refuses to believe that her husband is bad and continues to miss and love him seven years on despite the horrific crimes he has committed. It very much provokes the reader to question how they would react in this situation.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller

This is the third book I have read by this author. I loved ‘Wrong Place Wrong Time’ and that Gillian McAllister had done something different. ‘Just Another Missing Person’ did not live up to my perhaps too high expectations. After these mixed experiences, I was still eager to read ‘Famous Last Words’ as the premise sounded really intriguing.

Famous Last Words opens with Camilla (Cam) being due to return to work after maternity leave and it is also her daughter’s first day at nursery. Cam’s husband, Luke, has already left the house when she wakes leaving only a cryptic note by way of an explanation. Cam gets on with getting ready for the day but being unable to get hold of her husband plays on her mind.

Cam is at work when she sees news of a siege in London followed by the police arriving to talk to her. Cam finds out that Luke is involved in the siege and is shocked to hear that he is the gunman.

The opening of this book was very strong and I was completely immersed in the fast-moving siege situation. I liked the point of view of the hostage negotiator, Niall and thought the atmosphere came through really well. But then the siege quickly comes to an end and the timeline of the book moves forward to 7 years after the siege to follow the fall out of this on the lives of Cam and Niall.

I read this book very quickly but I felt that the slower burn middle section did last a bit too long and feel a little repetitive in places. The book ended up cantered on the relationships and love stories of Cam and Niall with their spouses but I would have preferred is this had leant further into the mystery and the solving of it earlier on. I did guess some of the twists quite early on such as relating to the jiffy bag book but this did not have a negative impact on my enjoyment. I was still keen to read on to find out the answers!

After the slow build of the story, the ending did seem a little rushed in comparison and I did not feel wholly convinced by the motivations for Luke’s actions. Cam’s unwavering support for Luke after the siege and continuing for the further 7 years did not always seem to be realistic.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and the experience of reading it. I think Gillian McAllister comes up with intriguing concepts and explores the relationships of the characters within a thriller style story in an interesting way.

I am rating this book 3.75 stars (rounded up to 4 stars)

Thank you to the publisher, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Gillian Mcallister is an autobuy author for me but I think this book was my favourite one yet!
I was hooked on this book from the first page. The premise immediately grabs you!

Camilla is about to start her first day back at work after maternity leave with 9 month old Polly. She finds it strange when her husband Luke isn't there in the morning to wish her luck on her first day and help take their daughter to school.
It isn't long before Camillas's world is turned upside down. Shortly after arriving for her first day back at work, Camilla sees a news broadcast covering a hostage situation developing in London. Luke, her husband, is the gunman and has taken three hostages!
The book is narrated by Cam as events unravel during the day and 7 years later (and finally 7 years later again)The other narrator is Niall, the hostage negotiater who desperately wants to find out the truth.
This was such an original premise for a thriller, and I couldn't put it down. The suspense and tension throughout is brilliant, and I loved the twisty ending.
The characters are well written and easy to emphasise with. If you like fast paced, heart racing thrillers with a touch of romance, I would highly recommend this. An addictive read!

Just as intricate and twisty as McAllister's other titles, 'Famous Last Words' is the story of a married couple's life being skewed when the police discover he's taken three hostages. I really enjoyed Cam's job, the publishing world, how the final note all came together was really compelling. I read the whole thing in one sitting, because I knew things couldn't be as they seemed and I needed to know the truth!